Privacy at Homeland Security
The Department's Privacy Office is the first statutorily required privacy office in any federal agency. We partner with privacy staff in every component to assess all new or proposed programs, systems, technologies or rule-makings for privacy risks, and recommend privacy protections and alternative methods for handling personal information to mitigate privacy risks. We also centralize FOIA and Privacy Act operations to provide policy and programmatic oversight, and support implementation across the Department.
More about the Privacy Office
Privacy & FOIA Resources
Compliance
Learn about the process we use to evaluate Department programs, systems and initiatives for potential privacy impacts, and access our compliance documents:
Reports and Guidance
International
- International Privacy Policy: The Privacy Office promotes international cooperation and understanding of privacy issues relevant to the Department's mission.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Events
Working with Privacy
For the privacy community and the public:
For international partners:
- The internationally recognized Fair Information Practice Principles (PDF, 4 pages - 101 KB) form the basis of the Department’s privacy compliance policies and procedures governing the use of personally identifiable information. We demonstrate how we apply these principles in The FIPPs at Work (PDF, 2 pages - 220 KB), and encourage international partners to consider similar implementation.
For Department employees and contractors:
- Partner with us when planning or updating any program, system, or initiative to ensure compliance with privacy laws. Familiarize yourself with our privacy compliance documents.
- Take advantage of our privacy and FOIA training courses on your Component's Learning Management System.
- Respond promptly to all FOIA requests
- Stay informed on privacy topics by attending our Speakers Series.
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